Patients and Caregivers Forums

Hello A dear friend of mine has just received and HVAD and will be coming home from hospital within a week. Some ladies and I are working on moving her bedroom downstairs and wanted to setup an area to store all the bandages, equipment and items needed for driveline management. What has been the...

I have posted before about a new LVAD shirt for those who want to stay active…..gardening, golf, biking. Check it out on sewnforyoumn.com. There is a new summer option that is shorter with mesh battery and controller pockets. Enjoy life with less aggravation. Ross Stephenson 8/16/2018

I am looking for a grief support group specifically for us caregivers that have lost our LVAD loved one. I’m in the Phoenix area so I’m person groups or online groups would work for me. thanks

Hello Everyone! I am a product design student at the University of Cincinnati with a friend who has an LVAD. Since witnessing her experience as a young 20 year old living with an LVAD, I have been inspired to do my thesis project on trying to address some of the frustrations and pain points...

Hello! im just curious , I’m sure my dad would love to meet other people that also share this experience. I think sometimes it can feel isolating. thanks!

I got my LVAD 6 months ago. I have had to overcome many obstacles but now I am happy emotionally and physically. My only concern at the moment is my driveline exit. It's worse than it was 6 months ago, particularly the red shading next to the exit point. My caregiver does an excellent dressing...

My daily routine: 1. Do a self-check of the controller, check the readings, and check for alarms (low flow and power). 2. Disconnect from remote power; connect to the batteries. 3. If staying-in-the house, use controller bag supplied by the hospital. 4. If going out, use fishing vest purchased from...

My father received a Hearmate 3 in November, and we have been slowing adjusting to his new life. The battery charging situation causes him anxiety, and he would like to add a second charger. Please let me know if you have one available. Has anyone purchased a charger from EBAY? Thank you, Meghan R.

This comment is great for first timers going through or about to go through surgery. It's great for getting answers to some quick questions and for getting support in times of fear of the unknown. But, this community really needs support from medical professionals. It needs to have moderators and...

I’ve been shocked several times. I’ve had two ablations. One last May and one in November. I was wondering if anyone ever gets the feeling that their heart is racing, palpitations, heart feeling strange when urinating at times. Every time I feel anything I go into a panic. My doctors say I’ve got...

I have two brand new shower bags love to offer them to anyone in need of them.

Can an LVAD patient have laughing gas as a way to remove teeth prior to dentures?

Does anyone now what the maximum distances you can be away ( vacation) from a LVAD certified hospital?? My team is very cautious. And as mentioned in yesterday’s meeting they also will not let me drive. I’ve had to many blackouts due to GI bleeds. They actually took me off of warfarin and aspirin...

Hello, I have 9 LVAD tshirts that I would like to donate. 7 are white 2 are black all size Mens XL. Please let me know if you or someone you know could really use them. I know they are pricey!

My husband is going to have LVAD surgery. We began this journey at UTSW in Dallas hoping for a heart transplant. The transplant was not approved due to age and other health conditions. UTSW did approve him for LVAD surgery. He has also been approved for an LVAD at Baylor Scott & White in Fort Worth...

Hello all, first off thank you for being here ! My girlfriend and I are the primary caregivers of her 50yr old father who just recently received his LVAD. We understand thats a big undertaking and we are totally down for the job. We / he has had a few bumps along the way but i think we are finally...

Hi friends -- My dad will be returning home from the hospital with an LVAD sometime in the next week, and I'm trying to help him out by purchasing some gear/accessories that will make his life a little easier and more comfortable once he gets here and adjusts to his new equipment. Because of...

Hi my brother brother has had an l vad For about 8 years now. Around June he suffered a fall hitting his head and causing him to have a brain bleed, He had to be rushed to Rochester in Minnesota. They removed part of a skull to let his brain swell. He was in the hospital for For 50 days and now he...

Hi everyone, my name is Mike, my LVAD was implanted September 27th 2022. So far so good. I am getting stronger by the day. Do my 2-3 mile walk every day and go to Cardiac Rehab. I am playing golf every Saturday. My only issues are a daily bout of double vision which lasts about 15 seconds and some...

My husband is likely getting an LVAD this week. He has cardiomyopathy and is only 40 so they want to put off a transplant as long as possible. The more I read about LVADs, the more I hear of numerous complications, recovery issues, and the amount of care the caregiver must provide in the months...